New York Note: Transportation Plan, New Commission, Mayoral Appointment, Block by Block

June 1, 2026

Transportation Plan Announced Ahead of FIFA 2026 World Cup

Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a Midtown transportation plan for the eight local 2026 FIFA World Cup match days, in coordination with the NYNJ Host Committee, MTA, NJ TRANSIT, and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Mayor plans to temporarily convert 42nd Street into a bus and shuttle corridor, use match-day bus lanes on Fifth and Sixth avenues, and restrict truck deliveries in Midtown around match times. The city will also designate each match day as a Gridlock Alert Day and encourage New Yorkers and visitors to use public transportation, walking, or biking instead of driving.

Subscribe

Mayor Announces Commission on Government Efficiency

Mayor Mamdani announced the Commission on Government Efficiency, a Charter Revision Commission charged with reviewing the City Charter and recommending changes to modernize city government, improve service delivery, and strengthen accountability. The commission will hold 10 public hearings across the five boroughs before bringing proposals to voters on the November ballot. Its work will focus on removing bureaucratic barriers, increasing agency flexibility, and improving government efficiency. The commission will be led by Chair Patrick Gaspard, with Ann Cheng as executive director. We also congratulate Barika Williams, Executive Director of Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies client Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development (ANHD), on her appointment to the commission.

Edwin Raymond Appointed Sheriff of New York City

Mayor Mamdani appointed Edwin Raymond as Sheriff of the City of New York. Raymond, a retired NYPD lieutenant, most recently served in the New York State Attorney General’s Office as the nation’s first social justice liaison. As sheriff, he will oversee legal processes and enforcement matters under the Department of Finance, including court-ordered seizures, tax law enforcement, mental hygiene warrants, and unlicensed cannabis enforcement.

Block by Block Housing Plan

Rachel Scall, Land Use and Zoning Attorney and Member at Cozen O’Connor, and Lucas Patterson Lopes, Attorney at Cozen O’Connor, authored “Mamdani Administration Announces Comprehensive Housing Plan Including Land Use Initiatives,” examining the administration’s newly released Block by Block housing plan. The piece highlights proposals to increase housing production and preservation through zoning and land use reforms, public-sector investment, city-sponsored land use actions, transit-oriented development, building code reforms, and the use of publicly owned land and development rights.

Authors

About Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies

Cozen O’Connor Public Strategies, an affiliate of the international law firm Cozen O’Connor, is a bipartisan government relations practice representing clients before the federal government and in cities and states throughout the country. With offices in Washington D.C., Richmond, Albany, New York City, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, Chicago, and Santa Monica, the firm’s public strategies professionals offer a full complement of government affairs services, including legislative and executive branch advocacy, policy analysis, assistance with government procurement and funding programs, and crisis management. Its client base spans multiple industries, including healthcare, transportation, hospitality, education, construction, energy, real estate, entertainment, financial services, and insurance.

About Cozen O’Connor

Established in 1970, Cozen O’Connor has over 775 attorneys who help clients manage risk and make better business decisions. The firm counsels clients on their most sophisticated legal matters in all areas of the law, including litigation, corporate, and regulatory law. Representing a broad array of leading global corporations and middle-market companies, Cozen O’Connor serves its clients’ needs through 31 offices across two continents.

Explore Articles and News

See All News